I think I'm going to confess something here which has taken me by surprise to be honest. Listening to what is called "Blues-tinged Psychedelic Stoner Rock" is something I'm diggin' man. I love this shit.

Has that ever happened to you? The muddy guitars with hints of the mighty 'Sabbath at intervals and those arrangements cannot be excused; and quite frankly I'm glad about it.

This is the second album by the Oklahoma crew who remind me of a twisted mix of The Vintage Caravan, Orchid and Monster Magnet. Check out the title track to grab yourself an insight in to the grubby world of Rainbows Are Free...

Article continues below...

Finding myself swaying and singing along with 'Sonic Demon' was embarrassing, due to the grass-cutting obsessed neighbour walking past my window at the time and looking rather unsettled by what he witnessed. Knowing that a song has the title 'Speed God And The Rise Of The Motherfuckers From A Place Beyond Hell', took me back to the days when I thought Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction was the most outrageous name in the Universe of Rock music.

Even at the beginning of the song there is an evil chuckle, so maybe the band knows how utterly cool the song title is and how it'll shamelessly blow the minds of those who stumble across it?

Taking responsibility for grinding the final parts of the remaining brain as the album winds up is 'Comet' which I was hoping would be something spectacular. It didn't feel that way for me, but 'Comet' does end the album with some integrity. Not every band is going to pull something special out of the bag like Rival Sons did with their closing track on 'Great Western Valkyrie' in the shape of 'Destination On Course'.

'Cadillac' does an honourable job in the middle of the album too with its lumbering sections mutating in to wilder outbursts.

Two of the tracks hit below the three minute mark and arrive in the feisty silhouette of 'The Botanist' and 'Snake Bitten By Love'.

They melt in the ears with a sizzle and shake. They make the idea of being snake bitten by such an ominous emotion something to savour and to be addicted to; bring it on baby, I want to be dripping in the stuff.

On reflection, it all wades through the mire of heavy grooves and colourful lyrics with such consummate ease. Time to let loose man 'cos the breeze is pushing the fumes of what these guys are pummelling; and it's rising from a place beyond hell.

Speed God And The Rise Of The Motherfuckers From A Place Beyond Hell
The Botanist
Waves Ahead Of The Ocean
Sonic Demon
Cadillac
Snake Bitten By Love
Burn And Die
Comet

11.6.14

WACKEN WINTER NIGHTS IS HEAVY METAL WONDERLAND

Wacken Winter Nights 2018 takes place between February 23rd and 25th 2018 and the great news is that you can now experience a full-on, top class German Metal Festival easily and affordably.

It only takes an hour to fly to Hamburg from London and we've had longer journeys than that within the capital and they were certainly more expensive than the £33 air ticket that just appeared in our 'flights to Wacken Winter Nights' search.

Besides this rich billing of superb Metal bands, there is so much more to see in the festival area including the medieval market and also the walking acts and jugglers you will meet at the theme worlds, including Robert Blake, three-time World Cup winner of street magic.

Wacken Winter Nights is something not to be missed and you can check out the amazing ticket and accommodation prices right here.

We just priced up the whole four day trip with hotels, flights, shuttles and festival tickets for less than £300 and we don't think you will get a better value festival than that, anywhere.

MetalTalk recently sat down with Wacken founder and owner Thomas Jensen and that interview will be online next week and it's a fascinating insight into how Wacken originated from nothing to become the world's premiere Heavy Metal event.

Wacken 2018 takes place from 2nd to 4th August 20218 and as with Wacken Winter Nights, if you have never experienced all it has to offer, then you owe it to yourself to remedy that.

As well as being the greatest Heavy Metal festival in the world, it is without a doubt the Mecca of Metal and the one thing that every single person who loves our music should have on their bucket list.

For 2018, MetalTalk have joined forces with Wacken-Open-Air to help you get to Wacken easily and inexpensively and you can peruse the ticket and travel options right here.

If you are interested in going to Wacken 2018 and have questions, please fill out the form below and we will contact you with answers to all your enquiries. You are under no obligation whatsoever by filling this form out. We won't add you to any mailing lists or send you loads of spam - all we will do is help you get to Wacken as easily and inexpensively as possible.